The Hidden Life: Essays, Meditations, Spiritual Texts

by Edith Stein, Lucy Gelber

This is an inspiring collection of Edith Stein's shorter spiritual writings, many available for the first time in English translation. They were composed during her final years, often at the request of her Carmelite superiors. Here the noted philosopher, Catholic feminist, and convert shares her reflections on prayer, liturgy, the lives of holy women, the spirit of Carmel, the mystery of the Christian vocation, and the meaning of the cross in our lives. These essays, poems, and dramatic pieces offer readers a unique glimpse into the hidden inner life of one of the twentieth century's most remarkable women.The book includes 5 photos and index.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality, Religion, Catholic, Philosophy, Christian, Devotional

153 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Edith Stein, also known as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, OCD, (German: Teresia Benedicta vom Kreuz, Latin: Teresia Benedicta a Cruce) (12 October 1891 – 9 August 1942), was a German Jewish philosopher who converted to the Roman Catholic Church and became a Discalced Carmelite nun. She is a martyr and saint of the Catholic Church.

She was born into an observant Jewish family, but was an atheist by her teenage years. Moved by the tragedies of World War I, in 1915 she took lessons to become a nursing assistant and worked in a hospital for the prevention of disease outbreaks. After completing her doctoral thesis in 1916 from the University of Göttingen, she obtained an assistantship at the University of Freiburg.

From reading the works of the reformer of the Carmelite Order, St. Teresa of Jesus, OCD, she was drawn to the Catholic Faith. She was baptized on 1 January 1922 into the Roman Catholic Church. At that point she wanted to become a Discalced Carmelite nun, but was dissuaded by her spiritual mentors. She then taught at a Catholic school of education in Speyer. As a result of the requirement of an "Aryan certificate" for civil servants promulgated by the Nazi government in April 1933 as part of its Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service, she had to quit her teaching position. She was admitted to the Discalced Carmelite monastery in Cologne the following October. She received the religious habit of the Order as a novice in April 1934, taking the religious name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross ("Teresa blessed by the Cross"). In 1938 she and her sister Rosa, by then also a convert and an extern Sister of the monastery, were sent to the Carmelite monastery in Echt, Netherlands for their safety. Despite the Nazi invasion of that state in 1940, they remained undisturbed until they were arrested by the Nazis on 2 August 1942 and sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where they died in the gas chamber on 9 August 1942.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words will fail me. In short: this is the most important book I have read after the bible. It, like no other, has unlocked my relationship with Christ through my more mystic tendencies. Her orthodox love of our Lord propelled her to tell the stories so many saintly examples of Christian living. I am, eternally, grateful for this text.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

Included in this book of works by Edith Stein are her explanation of noteworthy Carmelites, some of whom I was unfamiliar with. I enjoyed even her retelling of the lives of certain saints. She packages their lives quite well. I’m looking forward to reading others in the collection.

[JJS. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these short works by Edith Stein in the little book, especially the little biographies of St Teresa of Jesus, St Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart and St Marie-Aimee de Jesus, as well as her two hymns at the end of the book.

[Paul Hoehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty wonderful collection of occasional pieces by St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (strange that we always call her Edith Stein—I guess because she published before joining the Carmelites?). It’s wonderful for me to see a familiar kind of mind (early 20th century German-Jewish philosopher) speak from within the Carmelite tradition. I think her philosophical background allows these little pieces to punch beyond their weight: like the essays of the Frankfurt school they concentrate a whole world into their few pages. I’m definitely interested in exploring more of St. Teresa Benedicta’s writings !

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book. St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross beautifully opens a window into her own contemplative life and shows us how to love God. She also recants the inspiring stories of several saints. The book closes with beautiful poems. Through this book, she brings the peace and love of her life to the reader.

[Mick Maurer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now read Vol 1 Life in a Jewish Family & Vol 4 The Hidden Life of the 12 Collected Works of Edith Stein (St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross).

[Angelica Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love ❤️

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I realized that this book was a mix of almost everything that Edith Stein wrote while in Carmel, I grew to enjoy it. I even at times forgot she was the author - I was so absorbed in the lives of the other Carmelite saints she talks about in these pages, two of which I had never even heard of. The meditations, especially on the renewal of the vows, were beautiful and my imagination ran wild with images of the cloistered Edith writing it, knowing that, outside her monastery, the world was falling apart.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best of both worlds: meditations and hagiographies!